The Portland daily press., 1887-12-03
How Many Persons Become Bald b,
Washing Their Heads.
Popular Science News.


No careful observer fails to notice, as he
looks over assemblies Of men over 80 years of
age, that very large proportion is bald, or
in stage of partial badness. which indicates
the speedy loss of the hirsute appendage.
The percentage of men of all ages who show
signs oil badness has been PUT to 80 per cent.
and by some observers as high as even 40 per
cent. From careful observations in churches,
theatres, lecture rooms, and political assem-
blies, we are satisfied that these estimates
are too high, and that % or "a per cent. is !
more exact estimate.
This exhibit is alarming, as it indicates
that the time is near when we shall be na--
tion of bald heads, and that alopecia as dis
ease will affiict the youth in our schools, as
through hereditary physical deformities and
illness are multiplied and extended to an
enormous extent.
What is the cause Of this-early loss of hair?
II is not due to the hats or caps we wear. nor
TO the clipping of the hair close, nor to living
in hot rooms, it is not due to the forms Of
food we consume, but, in our view, it is
largely due to modern methods of treatment
prevails that the skin which holds the hair
follicles and the delicate secretary organs OF
the scalp must be keptas 'clean. $50 to speak
as the face or hands, consequently young men
patr0niZe BARRIERS or hairdressers and once or
twice week they have what is called a
shampoo" operation performed. and this
consists in a thorough securing OF the hair
and scalp with diluted ammonia water aud
soap so that heavy "lather" is produced
and the glandular secretions which are the
natural protection of the hair and promotiye
of its growth, are saponified and removed.
No act could be more directly destructive OF
a heavy growth OF hair than this and no one
Is more common.
head In warm or cold water at home, with or
without the adjuncts Of soap, alcohol. ammo
mia or perfumery is deleterious and promo
tive Of early loss Of hair. Men in indoor
business-clerks, bankers. shopkeepers-in
cities are constantly washing the head. Many
do this night and morning, under the false
notion that 1t Is necessary to cleanliness and
prom0tive OF vigorous growth OF hair, and
when alarmed at Its rapid disappearance in
after life they are at a loss to understand the
reason. The secretion of wax In the ear pas-
sages is natures method of protecting the
delicate machinery upon which hearing de-
pends. 1t closes the organ to the entrance OF
insects and dust; and fortunately the secre-
tion Is, to a considerable extent, placed be-
yond easy interference, and thus. the sense
Of hearing Is protected from injurious wash
outs"
The waxy secretion which Is poured out
| from the glandular organs which are found
| In connection with the folicles of the hair Is
natures product and is designed to protect
| the wonderful and beautiful head covering.
| Ii we persist in removing 1t altogether we
| must march with bald pates before the frost
| of age comes along to change his color.
| Women do not shampoo or wash the hair as
| often as the other sex, and consequently they
| are in large degree exempt from badness
| in middle life. 1t is true, however, that many
| women in cities make frequent visits to the
| hairdressers and subject themselves to the
| securing" process. IL this becomes common
| it will not be long before badness will over
| come young mothers as well as the fathers,
| and the time will be fastened when children
| even will have no hair TO destroy with ammo
/ mia and other caustic cosmetics.
| The advice we have to offer to young men
| and maidens is, let your hair alone; keep at
| safe distance from hair-dressing rooms and
drug shops, where are sold oils, alkaline sub
stances, alcoholic mixtures, &c, for use upon
the hair. They are all pernicious and will do
/ you HARM The head and hair may be wash
/ es occasionally with soft, tepid water, with
| out soap of any kind. As rule. the only
| appliances needed in the care Of tho hair are
| good combs and:brushes; and they should
| not be used harshly,so as to wound the scalp.
| Avoid all electric and wire-made brushes.
| No electricity can be stored in hair brush
/ If it could be 1t is not needed. The hair Is a
| beautiful gift Of nature and 1t must not be
i destroyed.